If you thought Newport Beach is just for the beach goer, think again! Our local trails and walking paths are so picturesque, you just gotta spend a day or two exploring these pathways to panoramic perfection!
Crystal Cove State Park
A 15 minute drive down PCH from the peninsula takes you to Crystal Cove, a beautiful destination where the beach meets dramatic cliffs and rolling hills. This makes for ideal hiking, as you’ll have panoramic views of the Pacific at every point in your journey. We also love it here, because there are hikes for every type of adventurer – ranging from the easy to the strenuous. Weekends can see a lot of foot traffic, so our favorite time to come is in the early mornings when there is still a layer of fog over the ocean. Come mid morning, the fog burns off to reveal a stunning view of the Pacific.
Directions: Head South on PCH. Turn left on School/State Park Rd.
Trail Map: CLICK HERE
Parking is $15 for the day.
Dogs not permitted.
The Back Bay Nature Preserve
Tucked back from the hubbub of our coastline is Newport’s Back Bay Nature Preserve, with 10.5 miles of pathway that loop around coastal wetlands. While the 10.5 mile loop may be more suited for cyclists and avid hikers, it is extremely easy to customize the length of your hike. Castaways Park and the Back Bay Science Center at Shellmaker Island are our two favorite points of entry. No matter where your walk takes you, however, expect to see plenty of migratory birds and local flora & fauna.
Map of the Back Bay Loop: CLICK HERE
The Newport Beach Boardwalk
Stretched along the peninsula for a total distance of 1.75 miles is the Newport Beach boardwalk. A steady stream of bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians, the boardwalk is perfectly flat, which makes it easy for people of all ages to get around town. The boardwalk takes you past both the Newport & Balboa Piers, Fun Zone, and plenty of other shopping & dining destinations. There’s tons of people-watching to be had, but the thing to look out for are the leaping dolphins that love showing off to beachgoers!
Pelican Point
Photo Credit: @bgkory on Instagram.com
This is perhaps our most favorite walking trail in Newport Beach, because it still feels like a local secret. The walk is well paved, the distance isn’t too strenuous, and the journey culminates in a gorgeous lookout point. To get here, head South on PCH and turn right at Newport Coast Drive. There are a couple of small parking lots to choose from (that all charge $5/hr) and we’ve discovered that it’s always a piece of cake to find a parking spot (another reason to love this place!). Walk towards the water and you’ll hit a wide, paved walkway that will wind you past coastal cliffs, benches, lookout spots, and even stairs that will take you down to a beautiful cove. It’s romantic, peaceful, and well worth the excursion!
